Hebrews 12:1- “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
It has been an exciting two weeks for us as we watched the summer Olympics. There were a total of 45 categories of sports represented. Many of them were “races”—track and field, swimming, cycling, rowing, and so on.
Each event had rules and specific directions for those competing. In each “race” there were winners. And in each one, some fell short of the goal.
Why didn’t all Olympic competitors succeed? Lack of commitment in practicing? Illness? Injury? There could be many reasons.
I thought about the “race” that God has set out before each of us in this life. Although we are not competing against anyone, the Bible warns us not to be hindered (entangled) by sin. For it is sin that will prevent us from reaching the goal—serving our Lord the best we can… the way He has planned for us.
It could be deficient funds, wrong timing, lack of commitment, life’s distractions—any number of reasons for us to fail as we run life’s race.
As for myself, I recognize that my own self-consciousness—nervousness in public-speaking— is a hinderance to my personal “race.”
Once we recognize the deterrents in our lives, we are able to pray for God to help us overcome them. I know He wants each of us to finish well, the race He has marked out for us.
spiritualsnippets.com 